Regiment Of Women by Clemence Dane

Clemence Dane’s novel Regiment of Women (published in 1917) doesn’t contain explicit lesbian content by modern standards, but it does feature coded representations of lesbian relationships that were quite controversial for its time. Regiment of Women is the debut novel of Winifred Ashton writing as Clemence Dane.

The novel centers on a girls’ school and particularly focuses on the relationship between Clare Hartill, a charismatic and manipulative teacher, and her student Alwynne. Their relationship is depicted with strong emotional and psychological intensity that many readers have interpreted as having lesbian undertones.

Key aspects of the lesbian subtext include:

1. Clare’s possessive and controlling relationship with Alwynne, which is portrayed as unhealthy but clearly intense and intimate
2. The suggestion of previous similar relationships between Clare and other female students
3. The jealousy Clare exhibits when Alwynne develops other close relationships
4. The depiction of the women’s school as an unnatural and somewhat sinister environment (reflecting negative stereotypes about lesbian communities common in that era)

The novel is actually considered problematic by modern standards because it portrays these relationships in a negative light. It reflects the prejudices of its time by associating lesbian-coded relationships with manipulation, psychological damage, and even suicide (another character, Louise, kills herself after being rejected by Clare).

Regiment of Women is now studied as an example of early 20th century attitudes toward lesbian relationships, presenting them as dangerous and pathological rather than as legitimate expressions of love.

It is said to have inspired Radclyffe Hall to write The Well of Loneliness.